IWSG Day and Snow!

Happy New Year!

Today is Insecure Writer's Support Group Day!


January 6 question - Being a writer, when you're reading someone else's work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people's books?

The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise - Fundy Blue!



A good question! It's difficult to describe the answer, though.

There's just something about the flow of words that needs to be just right. Not too fast, not too slow, not too much tell, no grammatical errors (I keep seeing way too many misplaced modifiers (e.g. "Holding the ball, his thoughts wandered to the last goal he'd scored" -- as if his thoughts are holding the ball!)), and so on.

Part of the trouble is also reading on the Kindle app compared with reading a paperback or hardcover: I can skim more easily with a "real" book, and give the author more of a chance. With a book on screen, I simply close it and look for something else. I do try to go back, otherwise it's not fair for the author!


We've been getting a lot of teaser snow, but none of it has lasted -- except on the heights!

A bit of Christmas...

Holly!



Lac Leman from Rolle




Stork! Or is it an egret?














The first snowfall, at the end of November

Happy New Year! Have you made any resolutions? 
I haven't! But I'd like to set some writing goals in my next post...

Comments

Glad you got some snow.
His thoughts holding the ball. Good point!
Sandra Cox said…
Gorgeous pictures.
I read a lot on my Kindle, but I agree words just seem to flow smoother in a paperback. (If the font is large enough. Heh.)
Have a Wonderful-Writing New Year.
cleemckenzie said…
How you read is definitely a factor in how much you enjoy a book. I've tried audible books a couple of times, and I still can't get into a story by listening to it. Podcast, yes. Novels and non-fiction, no.

If I do read on a Kindle, the formatting is crucial to my enjoyment of it.

Congratulations on being chosen to be included in the next #IWSG anthology.
Sarah Foster said…
Great pictures!
I think for the most part, I finish any book I've started reading.
Hi Deniz - a heron? Even we've had a sprinkling of snow ... I could do with an easy winter/spring and not a freezing one! Congratulations on your entry in the anthology ... and all the best for this coming year - take care - Hilary
Deniz Bevan said…
Ooh, yes, it might be a heron, there are lots around here!
I seem to have one paperback and one book on Kindle (at the least, plus maybe some poetry and a YA, plus all the kids' books we're always reading) on the go at all times. Can't be stuck without a book to read!
Steph W. said…
I never thought about the format being a factor in my reading habits. I am going to have to think about that now. There is definitely something about a good book that has a "flow." I am in pursuit of discovering the secret formula.
Computer Tutor said…
Good observations. It is a combination of reasons, innit. Those misplaced modifiers--I would like to say I never do that but I'd be lying. Sigh.
Olga Godim said…
I dislike misplaced modifiers too. They always irritate my reading buds.
JEN Garrett said…
Lol, surely writer meant to have his thoughts hold the ball. Maybe with telekinetic powers?
I have to say, I've laughed at misplaced modifiers for as long as I can remember.
One time, though, I had a grammatically correct modifier in a middle grade manuscript and a beta reader told me it was wrong. Really, the problem was that the sentence had pulled her out of the story, so I changed it completely. But it wasn't a misplaced modifier!
Diane Burton said…
Love your pictures. Congrats on being included in the anthology.
Jemi Fraser said…
We haven't had much snow yet this year either. We're only sitting with about 6 inches on the ground - it's been such a mild winter so far.
Hope 2021 brings all the very best to you and your family, Deniz!
Deniz Bevan said…
Thanks for coming by, all! We finally drove up into the mountains to find some real snow, photos next time!
Sandra Cox said…
Just stopped by to say 'hey' and hope you're having a great Sunday.
Chrys Fey said…
I find it harder to connect to books on the screen, too, and actually don't read that many eBooks because of it.

Great photos!
Deniz Bevan said…
Thank you, Sandra and Chrys!